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12v bed wiring w/ LEDs (pic heavy)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Schinkey10689, Feb 27, 2014.

  1. Feb 27, 2014 at 8:17 PM
    #1
    Schinkey10689

    Schinkey10689 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2011
    Member:
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    Messages:
    93
    Gender:
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    First Name:
    Justin
    Tampa, Florida
    Vehicle:
    09 PreRunner SR5
    I decided to brighten up my LEER topper a little because it gets pretty dark in there at night.

    Parts:
    30ft 8AWG red wire
    8AWG ring terminals
    50' 3/8" split wire loom
    25' 20AWG red/black 2 conductor wire
    60AMP inline fuse
    18" zip ties
    5/16" rubber grommets
    1" vinyl tubing
    Blue Sea 5025 fuse block
    Two strips of 5050 cool white LEDs 16'
    Multi Use 12v vehicle charger w/ dual USB


    I started by (sort of) sealing the boxes in the side of the bed. I used 1" vinyl tubing cut in half and riveted over the holes to cover where the door locks and feet stick through.

    IMG_0512_zpsa1f54d88_7515973413ad63a5038c8d4d2020da421b0f72ba.jpg

    IMG_0514_zps9be8f24b_be49856500901dd06b22c3493f957419689920c5.jpg

    I then sealed the bottom drain holes with 5200.

    IMG_0517_zps90a042b5_ff5a37c5f1a28c74d72c51473635bac020e5eb90.jpg

    I mounted the fuse block on the back of the box incase any moisture did get in there it would be above it.

    IMG_0520_zps3e5d07d2_94229bbcf6f40fd047558a9657b891d28fc29064.jpg

    Then I drilled 2 holes on each side of the box for the wires. I used 5/16" grommets

    IMG_0521_zps0499ea23_07661badf95c5845a730f54cb916c6f9e71b22d3.jpg

    I then ran the 8 AWG wire from my battery back to the bed box. This isn't hard to do as there is already a huge wiring harness running back there. I just followed it and zip tied the wire to the frame in a few places.

    I found one of the main grounds in the rear and added my ground to the bolt.

    IMG_0524_zpsadfa151e_1a9e47b7dd8fd2c418614bdf486c4d981f3133b7.jpg

    I installed a 12v outlet with USB ports to the cubby in the side of the bed and ran the wire back to the fuse block. It was super simple and attached with 2 small screws. The cubby pops off as it is only attached with some double sided foam tape.

    IMG_0536_zps58e99687_4222e7cc034d49eda9aef0d9204c169be7d2ac26.jpg

    IMG_0534_zps0fe0579f_93572d2984ba4e194bdcc77d85a2d7b88d89f078.jpg

    Next came actually wiring the fuse block. I didn't get many pictures because I did it after work one day and it was dark already.

    IMG_0537_zps9dba5acc_af6e90cd7efc7e5272464b8961a0fb78bd433ef9.jpg

    I had to wire my topper to the fuse block as well as the tail light because it has a built in light with a switch that I want to always be hot.
    (pic coming)

    This is where I put the switch that controls the 12v outlets (I installed a switch because I tested the outlets and they are always drawing about 15 mA even when nothing is plugged into them).

    IMG_0538_zps2a31f86d_c0cdf1a35226ee6bd62720858fc00c2358050359.jpg

    I added another switch on top of the first to control the first set of LED lights that are mounted under the bed rail.

    IMG_0540_zps06818f52_2afc7b0c00a2c0e4e16bcd01ba9c7c3cb5bf5e8b.jpg

    Here's a crappy pic of the finished product

    IMG_0541_zps00a9d202_bf2926d37d5317887c16160f73b2c057e3625280.jpg

    I added two LED strips to the topper that are wired into the switch that came with the topper.
    This is the finished product:
    IMG_0647_zps48c4048e_e4eddb12508544df073e621a5423a88ed3e88ba8.jpg

    JUST FYI:
    I tried mounting the LEDs to the bed rail with the adhesive 3M tape that comes on the back but after about 10 days in the hot Florida sun they melted off.
    I ended up using acetone to get the adhesive off and using a VERY thin bead of 5200 to stick them to the bed. I had to tape them in place for 48 hours for the adhesive to set but now I know they won't be going anywhere.

    I have yet to install the LEDs on the roof but when I do I will update again with more pictures.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2014
    tcBob likes this.
  2. May 28, 2014 at 10:29 PM
    #2
    FLtaco24

    FLtaco24 Just a man and his truck

    Joined:
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    #77302
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    JJ
    Daytona Beach/South FL
    Vehicle:
    09 PreRunner SR5
    Stock for now
    This is pretty awesome.:thumbsup:
     
    tcBob likes this.
  3. May 29, 2014 at 5:37 AM
    #3
    hotrod53

    hotrod53 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2013
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    #110971
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    Lynd
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Vehicle:
    ‘14 DCLB Sport, ‘18 TCH, ‘13 TCH
    Weathertech floor liners moded to hold OEM floor mats, weathertech vent visors, Toyota bed mat, LEER 100XL cap, hood gasket mod to stop whistling.
    Looks good so far but what will you do about the dirt, dust ,and water that comes up through the holes in the box? Everything that I ever put in mine got wet and dirty, right where you put your power box. If you look down through the slots where the door hooks in you can see the ground. I've often thought of going to the dollar store and buying some cheap ice cube trays and cutting them up to fasten them on the underside of the slots somehow.
     
  4. May 29, 2014 at 5:55 AM
    #4
    B737

    B737 Throbbing Member

    Joined:
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    Jersey Shore
    Vehicle:
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    stock
    good luck ever getting that ribbon off after applying it with 5200. the ribbons are all made in china, i suspect they'll all need replacement at some point if we keep our trucks for 5 years or more...

    as far as the location for the block and junction, i have to agree Hotrod, i dont off road my truck and it gets parked in my garage, but my bed boxes are typically damp or moist, esp during rainy seasons... (could be attributed to my tonneau, vs your cap)

    looks like a nice and useful install though...
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2014
  5. May 29, 2014 at 9:21 AM
    #5
    Schinkey10689

    Schinkey10689 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2011
    Member:
    #53754
    Messages:
    93
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Tampa, Florida
    Vehicle:
    09 PreRunner SR5
    I used surgical tubing, cut it in half, riveted it over the holes and then sealed it to the box using Blue CVT so all of the holes in the box are sealed. I rarely go off road as well.

    As far as the life of the lights, I have had them in my gun cabinet for almost 3 years and haven't had a problem (they get used more often in the gun cabinet). I also put up a test strip in my truck for 2 weeks and took it off, it isn't too difficult to take off so I'm not concerned about replacing a strip every 5 years.
     
  6. May 31, 2014 at 10:30 PM
    #6
    kasnerd

    kasnerd candied bacon

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    SoCal Yokel
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    '14 SC LT Mall Runner
    Mods? Yes, oh yes..
  7. Jul 29, 2014 at 7:42 PM
    #7
    rebelchem

    rebelchem Well-Known Member

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    '14 DBL LB TRD Sport 4x4
    Just getting started

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